my dermatologist taught me that skin is the most primed and ready to receive treatments of any kind at night. that’s because it’s the time when skin naturally works to repair and rebuild itself. your masks and creams are more easily absorbed and work more effectively when you apply them before bed, bringing new meaning to the phrase beauty sleep.

when clinique’s new ‘moisture surge’ overnight mask landed on my doorstep, i knew it was going to be a game changer. i have loved the moisture surge line since college when i went running to fredericksburg virginia’s only department store (a hecht’s, now macy’s) and put myself at the mercy of the clinique counter. dorm room dryness had done my skin in and the lady in the white lab coat behind the counter prescribed clinique’s original moisture surge thirsty skin relief. it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

this mask is like a souped up version of thirsty skin relief. it’s thick and almost balm-like, far more moisturizing than your typical night cream. smoothing it over your face and neck feels like heaven and the glowy look that your skin takes on will make you feel instantly prettier. put yourself to bed and awake in the morning with skin that’s plump and hydrated, not at all greasy. as an added bonus, i’ve noticed that things are clearer when i use this (my dermatologist also taught me that zits can crop up due to your skin being too dry, not just because it’s too oily). all in all, i really feel like i’m doing something great for my face when i apply this stuff. i’ve been going with an every-other-night regimen and it’s whipping some major butt in the winter blues department.

if your skin needs a little something extra this season, pick up a tube of clinique’s ‘moisture surge’ overnight mask, available in stores and online for $32. you will not be sorry!